scholarly journals Challenges of Emergency Medical Services utilization by the older adults in Tabriz, Iran

Author(s):  
Akbar Azizi-Zeinalhajlou ◽  
Rouzbeh Rajaei Ghafouri ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Sahebihagh ◽  
Asghar Mohammadpoorasl ◽  
Zahra Parsian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: As the number of older adults is increasing, the health care services such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) should be promoted. One of the preconditions for the use of health services is awareness of these services and their terms of use. This study is conducted to evaluate the awareness of the older adults in Tabriz about EMS and the terms of services. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of over 60 years old noninstitutionalized population in Tabriz (Iran). It included 1062 participants (514 males and 548 females) who were selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling method. Service awareness is considered as being informed about the existence of the EMS. Knowledge about EMS is defined as knowing the EMS phone number and knowledge about its free and 24-hour service. After completing the informed consent, data collection was conducted in the households of the participants. Data analysis was conducted using logistic regression. Results: The findings showed that 47% of the older adults were not familiar with the EMS system. Awareness of EMS in males (63.4%) was higher than females (44.2%) and also it was higher among those born in cities (61.2%) than rural areas (46.1%). Holding primary, secondary, and higher education compared with illiteracy had higher chance of awareness of EMS by more than 2, 4, and 12 times respectively (OR= 2.53, OR= 4.69, and OR= 12.09). Conclusion: Due to high rate of illiteracy and low public awareness, older adults do not have appropriate knowledge about the facilities, conditions, and terms of using EMS and may not be able to demand some of their essential services; therefore, notifying and increasing awareness about the available services to older adults are necessary.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rouzbeh Rajaei Ghafouri ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Sahebihagh ◽  
Asghar Mohammadpoorasl ◽  
Zahra Parsian ◽  
Mahmood Yousefi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background As the number of older adults is increasing, the health care services such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) should be promoted. One of the preconditions for the use of health services is awareness of these services and their terms of use. This study is conducted to evaluate the awareness of the older adults in Tabriz about EMS and the terms of services. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of over 60 years old noninstitutionalized population in Tabriz (Iran). It included 1062 participants (514 males and 548 females) who were selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling method. Service awareness is considered as being informed about the existence of the EMS. Knowledge about EMS is defined as knowing the EMS phone number and knowledge about its free and 24-hour service. After completing the informed consent, data collection was conducted in the households of the participants. Data analysis was conducted using logistic regression. Results The findings showed that 47% of the older adults were not familiar with the EMS system. Awareness of EMS in males (63.4%) was higher than females (44.2%) and also it was higher among those born in cities (61.2%) than rural areas (46.1%). Holding primary, secondary, and higher education compared with illiteracy had higher chance of awareness of EMS by more than 2, 4, and 12 times respectively (OR = 2.53, OR = 4.69, and OR = 12.09). Conclusion Due to high rate of illiteracy and low public awareness, older adults do not have appropriate knowledge about the facilities, conditions, and terms of using EMS and may not be able to demand some of their essential services; therefore, notifying and increasing awareness about the available services to older adults are necessary.


2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-80
Author(s):  
Riyadh A. Alhazmi ◽  
R. David Parker ◽  
Sijin Wen

Backround: Emergency medical services (EMS) workers are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and frequently exposed to blood and bodily fluids through percutaneous injuries. This study aimed to assess the consistency with which standard precautions (SPs) among rural and urban EMS providers were used. Methods: This study consisted of a cross-sectional survey conducted with a sample of certified EMS providers in West Virginia in which we ascertained details about sociodemographic characteristics, and the frequency of consistent SP. An email invitation was sent to a comprehensive list of agencies obtained from the Office of West Virginia EMS. Findings: A total of 248 out of 522 (47%) EMS providers completed the survey. The majority of the EMS providers (76%) consistently complied with SPs; however, more than one third (38%) of urban EMS providers indicated inconsistent use compared with 19% of rural EMS providers ( p = .002). Most EMS providers reported low prevention practices to exposure of blood and body fluids in both areas. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The results emphasize the need to enhanced safe work practices among EMS providers in both rural and urban areas through education and increasing self-awareness. Occupational health professional in municipalities that serve these workers are instrumental in ensuring these workers are trained and evaluated for their compliance with SPs while in the field.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (03) ◽  
pp. 288-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Cash ◽  
Remle P. Crowe ◽  
Julie K. Bower ◽  
Randi E. Foraker ◽  
Ashish R. Panchal

AbstractBackground:Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals face high physical demands in high-stress settings; however, the prevalence of cardiovascular health (CVH) risk factors in this health care workforce has not been explored. The primary objective of this study was to compare the distribution of CVH and its individual components between a sample of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. The secondary objective was to identify associations between demographic and employment characteristics with ideal CVH in EMS professionals.Methods:A cross-sectional survey based on the American Heart Association’s (AHA; Dallas, Texas USA) Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) was administered to nationally-certified EMTs and paramedics. The LS7 components were scored according to previously described cut points (ideal = 2; intermediate = 1; poor = 0). A composite CVH score (0-10) was calculated from the component scores, excluding cholesterol and blood glucose due to missing data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR; 95% CI) for demographic and employment characteristics associated with optimal CVH (≥7 points).Results:There were 24,708 respondents that were currently practicing and included. More EMTs achieved optimal CVH (n = 4,889; 48.8%) compared to paramedics (n = 4,338; 40.6%). Factors associated with higher odds of optimal CVH included: higher education level (eg, college graduate or more: OR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.97-2.59); higher personal income (OR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.37); and working in an urban versus rural area (OR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.23-1.40). Paramedic certification level (OR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.78-0.91), older age (eg, 50 years or older: OR = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.58-0.73), male sex (OR = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.50-0.56), working for a non-fire-based agency (eg, private service: OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74), and providing medical transport service (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94) were associated with lower odds of optimal CVH.Conclusions:Several EMS-related characteristics were associated with lower odds of optimal CVH. Future studies should focus on better understanding the CVH and metabolic risk profiles for EMS professionals and their association with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), major cardiac events, and occupational mortality.Cash RE, Crowe RP, Bower JK, Foraker RE, Panchal AR. Differences in cardiovascular health metrics in emergency medical technicians compared to paramedics: a crosssectional study of Emergency Medical Services professionals.Prehosp Disaster Med.2019;34(3):288–296.


The Lancet ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 386 ◽  
pp. S45
Author(s):  
Yalan Liu ◽  
Yi Jiang ◽  
Shenglan Tang ◽  
Qian Long ◽  
Jingfu Qiu ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Clemency ◽  
Christian Martin-Gill ◽  
Nicole Rall ◽  
Dipesh Patel ◽  
Jeffery Myers

AbstractIntroductionThe 2015-2016 academic year was the fourth year since the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME; Chicago, Illinois USA) accredited Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fellowships, and the first year an in-training examination was given. Soon, ACGME-accredited fellowship education will be the sole path to EMS board certification when the practice pathway closes after 2019. This project aimed to describe the current class of EMS fellows at ACGME-accredited programs and their current educational opportunities to better understand current and future needs in EMS fellowship education.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey of EMS fellows in ACGME-accredited programs in conjunction with the first EMS In-Training Examination (EMSITE) between April and June 2016. Fellows completed a 14-question survey composed of multiple-choice and free-response questions. Basic frequency statistics were performed on their responses.ResultsFifty fellows from 35 ACGME-accredited programs completed the survey. The response rate was 100%. Forty-eight (96%) fellows reported previous training in emergency medicine. Twenty (40%) were undergoing fellowship training at the same institution as their prior residency training. Twenty-five (50%) fellows performed direct patient care aboard a helicopter during their fellowship. Thirty-three (66%) fellows had a dedicated physician response vehicle for fellows. All fellows reported using the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP; Overland Park, Kansas USA) textbooks as their primary reference. Fellows felt most prepared for the Clinical Aspects questions and least prepared for Quality Management and Research questions on the board exam.ConclusionThese data provide insight into the characteristics of EMS fellows in ACGME-accredited programs.ClemencyB, Martin-GillC, RallN, PatelD, MyersJ. US Emergency Medical Services fellows. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(3):339–341.


Author(s):  
Tawfeeq I. Altherwi ◽  
Luai Alhazmi ◽  
Abdulsamad Yahya A. Ahmadi ◽  
Faisal Ali M. Othathi ◽  
Abdulaziz Ali M. Othathi ◽  
...  

Background: Acute Myocardial Infarction is usually a complication of an ongoing atherosclerotic pathophysiological process inside the distribution of the coronary arterial supply. For many years, acute myocardial infarction has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide. One of the major complications of acute myocardial infarction is the event of “cardiac arrest”. However, with an early approach to emergency medical services and early seeking of healthcare, the potential mortality chance can be reduced. Despite the significance of the situation and its vulnerability, delays in approaching emergency medical services exist due to variable influences. This study had investigated the reasons behind the delays and the awareness of the general public on acute myocardial infarction and its associated symptoms. Methods:  This study is a cross-sectional type of research that was conducted in October 2021 through November 2021 period that invited 427 participants through social media platforms. Results: The online questionnaire was distributed and administered by 427 subjects. The mean age of the participants was (27.62 years, SD=11.692) with a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum age of 89 years. The majority of the study participants were females (n=237, 55.5%), of those who called during the daytime, 97.4% of them have mentioned that they would call the EMS directly but when investigated about the time to wait before calling EMS, 55.3% of the participants who chose to call during the daytime would call in less than an hour. Conclusion: For initiating public campaigns and providing the public with the consequences of an ignored myocardial infarction and the potential mortality that could be associated with delaying the emergency medicine services approach.


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